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The Medusa Chronicles: Alastair Reynolds & Stephen Baxter Paperback – 12 Jan. 2017

4.3 out of 5 stars 1,835 ratings
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Inspired by Sir Arthur C. Clarke's short story A Meeting with Medusa , this novel, with permission from the Clarke Estate, continues the story of Commander Howard Falcon over centuries of space-exploration, interaction with AI, first contact and beyond. All brought to life by two of our greatest SF authors, Stephen Baxter and Alastair Reynolds.

Howard Falcon almost lost his life in an accident . . . and a combination of human ingenuity and technical expertise brought him back. Not as himself, but as an augmented human: part man, part machine, and exceptionally capable.

The Medusa Chronicles charts his journey through time, the changing interaction between humanity and our universe, and combined moments of incredible action with unparalleled exploration of and expansion into space. A compelling read from the beginning, this is classic SF which has appeal for readers who like Gravity and The Martian .

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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Gollancz
  4. Publication date
    12 Jan. 2017
  5. Dimensions
    13 x 2.4 x 19.6 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1473210208
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1473210202
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Product description

Review

'A vivid and vital take on a pace age future that never actually happened. Clarke, you may find yourself thinking, would surely approve.' ― SFX

A joy to read, it's yet another feather in Baxter and Reynolds' well-adorned hats. ― SCIFINOW

With these two titans of the genre, jaw-dropping imagination and laser-sharp wordcraft are guaranteed. They have created a beautiful novel, wonderful to explore. ― THE SUN

brings the strengths of both writers - a thorough grasp of scientific principles and the ability to present them in well-paced, engaging narratives ― The Guardian

it certainly contains all that I love in the writing and imagination and vision of both Stephen Baxter and Alastair Reynolds. Full justice has been done to Clarke and his original short story and I can only hope for more. My only greedy complaint is that I wish the book were longer. What there is, though, is wondrous and perfect. ― For Winter's Nights

Stephen Baxter and Alistair Reynolds choose to focus instead on the characters to help pull the storyline forward and that was what I liked most about The Medusa Chronicles, it's a character driven sci-fi book, something I feel the genre needs more of. ― The YA Bookshelf

Baxter and Reynolds are the ideal writers to take this on. They capture a sense of the awe of the universe and the humility of the position of humanity within it, but they also clearly have a lot of fun with some very old SF genre conventions in the process. ― Geek Life

if you like a political story combined with the effects of human interplanetary space travel, this book is definitely for you. ― Livingforbooks

Humanist, meditative, this is old-fashioned science fiction as evidenced by its sense of wonder and a positive attitude to scientific progress but, alongside, manages to keep the thrills on overdrive and the cosmic and planetary problems ticking along. A good read. ― Lovereading.co.uk

If I'm honest, I wasn't expecting The Medusa Chronicles to be much more than a tip of the hat to Arthur C. Clarke, but Baxter and Reynolds go far farther by realising a resounding sweep of a story with rich seams of science and speculation, some unforgettable spectacle and not a few emotional moments. ― TOR.COM

One of the most compelling novels of either author's career, it combines moments of incredible action with an intricately-realised depiction of an expansive universe. ― GEEK SYNDICATE

Book Description

Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's Nebula Award winning A Meeting with Medusa , this is a epic adventure from two of the greatest science fiction writers of our time.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gollancz
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 12 Jan. 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1473210208
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1473210202
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 238 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 2.4 x 19.6 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,835 ratings

About the author

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Alastair Reynolds

Alastair Reynolds
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Alastair Reynolds was born in Wales in 1966. He has a Ph.D. in astronomy. From 1991 until 2007, he lived in The Netherlands, where he was employed by The European Space Agency as an astrophysicist. He is now a full-time writer.

Photo by Robert Day [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,835 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an awesome hard sci-fi story with solid scientific underpinnings, and one customer describes it as an excellent adventure across the next millennium. The book receives positive feedback for its readability and entertainment value, with customers finding it engaging. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it old-fashioned, and the character development is also mixed, with some liking them while others find them cardboard. The book's enlightenedness receives negative feedback, with several customers describing it as dull.

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Story quality Readability Entertainment value Rigour Pacing Character development Enlightenedness
25 customers mention ‘Story quality’ 18 positive 7 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, describing it as amazing and enthralling, with one customer highlighting its compelling journey through time and space.

"...story away, other than to say it builds beautifully and the ending is very satisfying , whilst also leaving the door open for a sequel perhaps?..." Read more

"This book is a fusion of an old idea of one author and the fleshing out by two others, as such it's quite unique...." Read more

"...lastly, the ending is a bit of a let down ; mysterious aliens in the centre of Jupiter granting him a 'new life' ...." Read more

"...Authored by Baxter and Reynolds, the book expertly blends Sci-Fi imagination with solid scientific underpinnings, showcasing what might unfold if AI..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Readability’ 10 positive 0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, particularly praising it as a very good book by Stephen Baxter.

"...A captivating read , earning a well-deserved 5/5!" Read more

"A very good book by Stephen Baxter but initially could have done with a background to the main story as someone first reading this misses what has..." Read more

"...but here they seem to have drawn the best out of each other and produced a wonderful , big-scale yet odly touching story that exists firmly in the..." Read more

"...up, however, once the book gets space borne, then it became a high quality read ." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Entertainment value’ 7 positive 0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with one describing it as fun science fiction.

"...took a while to get going, but had enough of a story and potential to keep me entertained , and I am so glad I did...." Read more

"...The stories became more human, more exciting and had better characters...." Read more

"...(characters, while lightly drawn, are engaging , and the big ideas stand tall)..." Read more

" Fun decent sci fi . Built well. Not too out there for my simple tastes. And I liked the characters and the robots" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Rigour’ 4 positive 0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's rigorous approach, with one noting its solid scientific underpinnings.

"...Reynolds, the book expertly blends Sci-Fi imagination with solid scientific underpinnings , showcasing what might unfold if AI ventures into space..." Read more

"Fun decent sci fi. Built well . Not too out there for my simple tastes. And I liked the characters and the robots" Read more

"...forms of life-or living-with Reynolds' tough practicality and human credence . The first 'essential' sci-if work of this year." Read more

"A story that combines proper scientific rigour with a gripping storyline. Good to see two of my favourite authors combining to write this book...." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Pacing’ 7 positive 4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it old-fashioned and slow, while others appreciate its creative ideas and thought-provoking topics.

"...to a solar system odyssey, from Mercury to the Oort Cloud, brimming with creative ideas ...." Read more

"...It raises some thought provoking topics regarding "what is human", "what would meeting other sentient non-humans be like", "how would you assess..." Read more

"...In terms of this book, it took a while to get going , but had enough of a story and potential to keep me entertained, and I am so glad I did...." Read more

"...these days, this book is both a breath of fresh air and a wonderful homage to the finest sf writer the world has ever seen...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Character development’ 3 positive 3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book.

"...The book picks up on the character well , and gradually fills in most of the back story for you...." Read more

"...little gems of excitement in it, but overall it is let down by shallow characters with no richness, and a rather 'pedestrian' plot...." Read more

"...He is surrounded by other equally brilliant and well thought out characters ...." Read more

"...I can't really believe it on/in Jupiter. Characters are cardboard . Plot is almost non-existent." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Enlightenedness’ 0 positive 7 negative

Customers find the book dull and uninspiring.

"...in it, but overall it is let down by shallow characters with no richness , and a rather 'pedestrian' plot...." Read more

"...space etc etc could have his name attached to something so flat and uninspiring ...." Read more

"...5 stars for anything with reynolds name on it, i just found it a little dull and drawn out to be honest... and struggled to keep going right until..." Read more

" Dull . Set in a sort of alternate future history which is just contributes to not really trying to help you suspend disbelief...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Stiivu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I read reviews of this book first and most were positive. A few mentioned reading the A.C.Clarke short story first, which I did. Although on reflection, its not really necessary.

    The book picks up on the character well, and gradually fills in most of the back story for you. So do not be too worried about not reading the short-story first.

    In terms of this book, it took a while to get going, but had enough of a story and potential to keep me entertained, and I am so glad I did.

    It is truly excellent well-written, refreshing sci-fi story with the main character being almost a steam-punk/ half android type. A throwback to the original story written many eons ago and retained and it works so well.

    I will not give any of the story away, other than to say it builds beautifully and the ending is very satisfying, whilst also leaving the door open for a sequel perhaps?

    Recommended
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  • Norbury
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing blend of styles
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a fusion of an old idea of one author and the fleshing out by two others, as such it's quite unique. The blending is largely successful too, although there do seem to be a few ideas that one author has had that never got fleshed out properly, the lack of explanation of an apparently major sub-plot is a feature of this I think. The book is quite slow paced, but that is I think deliberate in order to reflect the long timescales involved.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Piotr L
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2024
    Verified Purchase
    "The Medusa Chronicles", a sequel to Arthur C. Clarke's "A Meeting with Medusa," is a compelling journey through time and space. Authored by Baxter and Reynolds, the book expertly blends Sci-Fi imagination with solid scientific underpinnings, showcasing what might unfold if AI ventures into space exploration on its own. Readers are treated to a solar system odyssey, from Mercury to the Oort Cloud, brimming with creative ideas. Baxter's experience as a rocket scientist enriches the narrative. A captivating read, earning a well-deserved 5/5!
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  • The Sestrel
    3.0 out of 5 stars Hmnn, must do better than a 'pot boiler' next time.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    It's just 'ok' and thats about it...
    No denying there are some little gems of excitement in it, but overall it is let down by shallow characters with no richness, and a rather 'pedestrian' plot.

    it reminds of sci-fi from the 60's and 70's, and although there wee many gems from that era, many were, like 'medusa" were rather wooden 'pot boilers'

    Also there are some glaring 'continuity' boo boo's, like one line Falcon is 'walking' on his new legs, and the paragraph he is amazingly 'rolling' along as he has been earlier.

    lastly, the ending is a bit of a let down; mysterious aliens in the centre of Jupiter granting him a 'new life' . Yeah, ok, we all saw what happened at the end of 2001, A Space Opera, and nicking that basic theme is very old hat.

    This is the opposite of "A blue remebered Earth" and sequel, that was powerful, rich and amazing.
    This however is just a pot boiler to fill while Reynolds thinks of something more exciting . A let down for me..
    2 people found this helpful
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  • David John
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Medusa Chronicles
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 September 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A very good book by Stephen Baxter but initially could have done with a background to the main story as someone first reading this misses what has gone on before. Otherwise an in depth adventure.
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  • Mike
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you like space opera, read it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Outstanding story set in an incredibly detailed world for a novel of this size.
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  • Mr. Paul J. Grenyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic partnership,
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Arthur C. Clarke was my favourite author for many years and I loved his collaborations with Stephen Baxter. Baxter brought a new dimension to Clarke's, not just science fiction, but science based fiction. The stories became more human, more exciting and had better characters. So when my current favourite author, Alastair Reynolds, got together with Stephen Baxter to write a story based on other writings by Arthur C. Clarke it had the potential to be something fantastic. And it is!

    I love stories with references to other stories and pop culture and the Medusa Chronicles is riddled with them. I've complained about Interstellar (film) being a rehash of Clarke's 2001 in a previous review and there are plenty of references and similarities to 2001 here, especially with the exploration of inner Jupiter and the events which take place inside the sun. However, in the Medusa Chronicles, this is the amazing climax to an all round superb story.

    The main character, Howard Falcon, is superbly flippant, sarcastic, cynical and intelligent. He is surrounded by other equally brilliant and well thought out characters. The machine, Adam, is one of the better rehashings of HAL and captures, the young and naïve, yet brilliantly intelligent and developing intelligence perfectly.

    If, like me, you're longing for Reynolds to recapture his Revelation space glory, then the Medusa Chronicles, along with Slow Bullets, is the book for you and it goes a long, long way.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Alan Donnelly
    4.0 out of 5 stars You need to read CLarke's "Meeting with Medusa" first
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 April 2020
    Verified Purchase
    "What did I use this product for?"
    It's a book! I read it!
    It continues where the original Archur C Clarke story ended, and carries on for several hundred years. It raises some thought provoking topics regarding "what is human", "what would meeting other sentient non-humans be like", "how would you assess their motivations", "what is the nature of consciousness"?
    Great for those who had been wondering what came next after the original story, but just missed out on 5 stars as I felt the plot development became weaker towards the end.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mike Trebor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant
    Reviewed in France on 17 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Great addition to both authors oeuvre , an exploration of our solar system and an extrapolation of our future.
    Pity that such a great collaboration was consigned to a cheap flimsy mass paper back formation, readers and the authors should have had the work celebrated with a hard binding.
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  • Sanjoy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind Blowing
    Reviewed in India on 25 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    What a book what an imagination hats off to Stephen Baxter .
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  • Music Collector
    5.0 out of 5 stars Imagination
    Reviewed in Canada on 10 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Although I am not good at actual science, the concepts in this book are understandable. The sweep of the narrative was a panacea to the current chaos of the Trump USA. More scientifically minded people may take issue with some of the concepts, but for me it was pure escapism...and hope.
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  • Peter Eerden
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly exquisite SF read
    Reviewed in Australia on 27 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book will be forever remembered for its astonishing second half that kept me enthralled till the last. What an extraordinary melding of man and machine. I love the characterizations of Howard and Adam and their separate/conjoined existences. This is a 'must' SF read. Peter Eerden.
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  • Bruce A. Heiman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Builds slowly. Very worthwhile read.
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I tried to avoid spoilers here, despite there being a lot to say about this novel. Astonishingly, there is first and foremost a “Clarkian” feel to the book, whether by design or not. The narrative flows well, with a pattern of building of scale using a recapitulation approach that does not feel forced (rather it feels like an enjoyable rhythm with increasingly complex engaging variations). You see the structure, but surprises abound. Lots of detail and loose ends wrapped up, so generally satisfying. My only critical reflection is the interludes don’t add up or get resolved, unless I missed something (distinctly possible). I could have lived without the interludes, though they do serve to establish the work as an alternative universe/history novel. Maybe that’s the idea. Also, a minor quibble, there are several spots where the sentence construction could be better, though the style is generally very clean. The dialogue is superb, and comes across as genuine and not overly (nor overtly) expository. Savor the book. I read it slowly.
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